Dozens of people have died in Ethiopia due to severe flooding and landslides, prompting a national mourning period.
On Friday, Ethiopia's parliament declared three days of national mourning for those who lost their lives in recent floods and landslides, with the death toll rising to 80. Many are still missing as rescue efforts continue in the remote Gamo region of southern Ethiopia, where heavy rains caused the catastrophic events earlier in the week. The official mourning period begins Saturday, honoring the lives lost amid this devastating disaster.
The continuous search and rescue operations indicate that the number of victims may exceed 100, according to previous warnings from the police. This tragic event has displaced thousands, forcing them to abandon their homes, and the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is of Ethiopian descent, has expressed condolences on social media, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
In response to the disaster, WHO has activated its emergency task force and deployed rapid response teams to affected areas to support local health services. As assistance is organized, preparations are underway for the delivery of supplies and resources to assist those affected by these tragic events, illustrating both the immediate repercussions and the challenges of rebuilding for the communities impacted by this natural disaster.
